Ron & Nathele Graham

Continue in Sin or Live for Christ :: By Nathele Graham

Published on: by RR7

Most Christians know the apostle Paul’s life story. His family was well-to-do and he was a brilliant man who studied under the most respected teacher of the time. Paul was known for his zeal in persecuting Christians and he could have been a great Jewish leader. God had other plans for him.

One day as Paul was on a mission to Damascus to arrest Jewish converts to Christianity, Paul met Jesus. In that moment his life was changed. Material things he held dear meant nothing to him and the religion he loved so much was changed to faith in Jesus Christ.

“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.” (Philippians 3:7-8)

Once Paul met Jesus he couldn’t continue in sin but he lived for Christ. Christianity is a way of life, not religious rules. We are saved because we have accepted Jesus Christ for salvation and not by rituals or traditions.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Sadly, many people who profess faith in Christ are of the opinion that they can continue in their sin and Jesus won’t care. If you’ve truly accepted Christ then your salvation doesn’t depend upon how you behave. Then again, if you’ve truly accepted Christ a change in your attitude and way of living should be evident. Sin should be repugnant to you.

I was married to a wonderful man. Ron was a loving and generous man. He wasn’t a Christian when I married him, and the words he used when his anger flared made me cringe! A few years into our marriage Ron met Christ. What a privilege it was to watch as he allowed Christ to change him.

The first big change was in his language. From the first day of his salvation he never again used foul language. Ron began to study God’s Word and apply it to his life. His anger mellowed, his language changed, and his love for Christ grew. When a person accepts Christ it shouldn’t be easy to continue in sin, but a joy to live for Christ.

Jesus came into this world to offer the only way of salvation to a lost world. When He met people who were living sinfully He never once said, “Go ahead and keep sinning.” When Jesus encountered a Samaritan woman He knew all about her life.

Instead of throwing out accusations about her having had five husbands and living with a man she wasn’t married to, Jesus just talked to her. He led her to see her sin but He never said it was okay for her to continue living in sin. She was changed. She was one of the first to recognize Jesus as the Christ and she went and told others.

“The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?” (John 4:28-29)

This sinful woman recognized Him as the Christ. She was convicted of her sin but not condemned by Jesus. Another woman who was an adulterer was brought before Jesus for condemnation. Instead, Jesus convicted those who accused her. The accusers wanted her death, but Jesus wanted her to find salvation.

“So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” (John 8:7)

We all sin so we cannot condemn others for their sin before we deal with our own. God’s word is the guide, not for us to judge but to lead ourselves and others away from sin. After those who accused the woman left, Jesus asked:

“…Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee; go and sin no more.” John 8:10b-11.

Both of these women lived sinful lives but Jesus didn’t let them die in their sin. We aren’t told if they turned from their immoral lifestyles, but Jesus didn’t condone their sin. He doesn’t condone our sin either. Do you call Him Lord? Then go and sin no more. Today there are many influences that draw us into sin. Most children are sent to public schools, and for a Christian that’s a big mistake.

Schools have moved away from teaching math and history, to teaching morals…secular, satanic morals. Paul wrote to Timothy, a young man who was facing many challenges as a pastor.

“O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.” (1 Timothy 6:20-21)

The word “science” is translated from the Greek word “gnosis” which simply means “knowledge.” Public schools like to think they teach knowledge, but in fact they pervert the Word of God and teach sin instead. The letter to the Romans addresses what happens when God is ignored and lies such as evolution are taught.

“Professing themselves to be wise they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things” (Romans 1:22-23)

Evolution is the theory of choice by people who don’t know God. This satanic teaching leads to the abominable sin that is gripping our world today.

“Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.” (Romans 1:24-25)

Paul goes on to say that this results in lesbianism, homosexuality, backbiting, haters of God, and other deplorable ways of life. These lifestyles are rampant in our world today. The news is filled with same sex marriage, transgender rights, people who want to choose whatever gender they want, and other abominable perversions. Bruce Jenner thinks he’s a woman, mutilates his body, and makes headlines as if he is a hero. What a sad comment on society.

He needs to meet Jesus and stop continuing in sin. None of this is of God. If you were born male, then you’re a male. If you were born a female, then you’re a female. End of story. Now, if you’ve been taught lies and have chosen sin, you still have hope for  salvation. Jesus loves you and gave His life for you. You can choose to continue in sin or you can choose to live for Christ. Jesus told the woman taken in adultery to “Go and sin no more” and His words are for you and me, too.

Pastors, shepherd your flock. You are the men chosen by God to lead your congregations to a closer walk with Jesus. Are there sinners sitting in the pews of your congregation? Yes. Every person sitting there sins, including you, but don’t allow sin to rule.

“He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, ‘Lovest thou me?’ And he said unto him, ‘Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee,’ Jesus saith unto him, ‘Feed my sheep.’” (John 21:17)

Pastor, feed the lambs and feed the sheep. Feed them the Word of God. If you don’t, your flock will wander into more sin and your Sunday services will become nothing more than a watered down, feel good hour designed to fill the collection plate. Lead by example what it means to live for Christ. If you preach the entire word of God you may offend some of your congregation and they may leave. Some would prefer to continue in sin rather than live for Jesus.

Perhaps they, like Judas, never really followed Jesus. Pastor, preach God’s Word and feed your flock. Paul addressed a problem in Corinth when he advised them to put a man out of the congregation who was deeply entrenched in sin. They followed Paul’s advice and we later find out that the man repented and was restored. We can’t continue in sin and live for Christ. Preach God’s truth.

Sin creates a gulf between the sinner and God. Only the blood of Jesus can bridge that gulf and allow us eternal life. Every day we’re presented with opportunities to sin and we can choose to embrace the sin or follow our Lord. God has given us Scripture as a guide to how we need to live.

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

God’s Word is theopneustos in Greek; inspired by God…God breathed. Our Bible is the authority for Christian living. Don’t take your theology from television or books. If you’re participating in something that you think might be sin, go to Scripture and search God’s truth. Compare your life to God’s Word, then change your life if it doesn’t line up. It isn’t all right with God if you continue in sin. If you’ve truly accepted Christ for salvation, then positive changes should be evident.

There are blessings in allowing Christ to move you away from sin. As you live closer to Christ. you’ll move farther away from sin. Only faith in Jesus Christ brings salvation, but good works done for Him will earn eternal crowns. Everyone will face a judgment, but Christians will stand before the judgment seat of Christ. That’s when you’ll receive rewards for what you  did for Christ on this side of heaven.

“Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver,  precious stones, wood, hay stubble; every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” (1 Corinthians 3:12-15)

If you’ve chosen to continue in sin then all your works will be for nothing. They’ll burn with fire at the Judgment Seat of Christ. On the other hand, if you’ve chosen to turn from your sin and live for Christ, then there are rewards for your obedience. It may seem unimportant right now, but when you stand before the Creator of the universe and your works are judged, it will matter. This life is fleeting.

“Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” (James 4:14)

No matter how old you are, death is just a heartbeat away. A car accident could take your life or you could be a victim of murder. It could be that the harpazō will happen in the and take Christians home. We cannot know exactly when our life on earth will end but the choices we make here and now are of eternal importance. The first choice is to accept Christ as your Savior. Then, study God’s Word and apply it to your life. There’s coming a time when it will matter.

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21)

Continue in sin or live for Christ. The choice is yours.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

www.straitandnarrowministry.com

ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

Ron and Nathele Graham’s previous commentaries archived at https://www.raptureready.com/featured/graham/graham.html

All original Scripture is “theopneustos” (God breathed).

Jesus Was Innocent :: By Nathele Graham

Published on: by RR7

Many people are put to death because of crimes they’ve committed. Most of these crimes involve murder. But there are some countries that will put someone to death simply because a person is a Christian. This isn’t anything new, and it happens frequently. Have you ever wondered why Jesus was executed? The answer might surprise you if you dig into the question. It also might surprise you to find out who really executed Him.

At first it might look as if the Jewish leaders were guilty of bringing about Jesus’ death. He was born to a Jewish mother and fulfilled all prophecy concerning the First Coming of the Messiah. Although His mother was Jewish, Jesus is the Son of God. Actually, He came as God in the flesh to redeem all people from sin. The very people who should have recognized this truth sought to have Jesus put to death.

The Pharisees where religious leaders of the day and put on a great show of being “holier than thou.” They knew the Mosaic Law and did everything they could to live even holier than the Law required and looked down on everyone else. Jesus saw right through them and didn’t accept their false pride.

“Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat and swallow a camel.” (Matthew 23:24)

The scribes and Pharisees were so concerned with the smallest letter of the law that they were blind to the bigger picture. Jesus had many confrontations with these men and He never backed down from pointing out the failures in their leadership. According to the Mosaic Law, blasphemy was a capital crime worthy of death.

“And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the LORD shall be put to death.” (Leviticus 24:16)

It’s a very serious offense to talk against God or claim to be God. Many people today claim that Jesus never said He was God, but they are wrong. The deity of Christ is an important fact to the Christian faith and Jesus claimed to be God many times. One of the most colorful confrontations between Jesus and the Pharisees is recorded in the Gospel of John.

The Pharisees had accused Jesus of casting out a demon by the power of Satan. Jesus responded by saying, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do…” (John 8:44a.).

Jesus pulled no punches as He spoke to the Jewish leadership. The Pharisees should have dropped the subject, but they just couldn’t let it go. Jesus told them that if a man had faith in Him he would never see death.

“Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death. Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?” (John 8:52-53)

These blind “leaders” would not believe the truth and their mocking response shows their hardened hearts. Because Jesus is God He existed long before Abraham and told this fact to the Pharisees.

“Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. Then said the Jews unto him, ‘Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?’” (John 8:56-57)

Can’t you just hear the sarcasms and distain in their voices? Then the Creator of the universe made it crystal clear:

“Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.” John 8:58.

This doesn’t translate well into English, but when Jesus said “I am” He was saying He was eternal…the “I AM” who spoke from the burning bush…the eternal God. The Pharisees were enraged.

“Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.” (John 8:59)

They wanted to stone Him for blasphemy. Eventually Judas, a disciple, went to the chief priests and offered to betray Jesus.

“And said unto them, ‘What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you?’And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.” (Matthew 26:15-16)

This, of course, fulfilled the prophecy given by Zechariah:

“And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD.” (Zechariah 11:12-13)

Indeed, Judas received his fee for betrayal and he led a band of men to arrest Jesus. Jesus was arrested, abused, and crucified, but He was innocent. Judas felt remorse for what he had done and took the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders.

“Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.” (Matthew 27:4)

Judas knew Jesus hadn’t committed any crime. He threw down the money and went and hanged himself. It wasn’t lawful to put blood money into the treasury so the potter’s field was purchased for a place to bury strangers.

So, did Judas murder Jesus? Was it the Jews who murdered Him? These people certainly did their part, but at the time of Jesus’ crucifixion, the Jewish leaders had no authority to sentence a person to death. That authority rested with the Romans. So, off they went to Pontius Pilate who was the Roman governor at the time. Since blasphemy wasn’t something that would rile a Roman official, Jesus was falsely accused of other “crimes.”

“And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying, that he himself is Christ a King.” (Luke 23:1-2)

Pilate really didn’t want to be involved, but was obligated. Thousands of people were in Jerusalem to celebrate Passover and every able bodied Jewish man was to observe this in Jerusalem. Pilate had a lot he was dealing with because of the crowds of visitors.

“Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man.” (Luke 23:4)

Innocent, right? Not really. It was more “I don’t care.” His “no fault” verdict made the Jewish leaders angry, so Pilate decided to send Jesus to Herod who just happened to be    in town. After some abuse, Herod sent Him back to Pilate where He was beaten. Many people were involved in condemning Jesus, although He was innocent.

There was a tradition on Passover that one prisoner would be released. Pilate left Jesus’ fate up to a crowd that was gathered. Would they call for the release of Barabbas? He was a hardened criminal who deserved death, but Jesus was innocent.

“But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.” (Matthew 27:20-21)

So, who do you think was guilty of condemning Jesus to death? Was it the chief priests and elders, or was Pilate to blame?

I often wonder if I had been in the crowd that day, who would I have asked to be released. I wonder how many who cheered for Barabbas really understood the situation and how many were just following the religious leaders. That still happens today. Jesus is mocked every time we accept false teachings from blind leaders or teachers.

Jesus was sentenced to be crucified. After having been beaten beyond recognition, He was forced to carry the cross through the streets of Jerusalem to where Roman soldiers drove spikes into His hands and feet.

Can you hear the clank of the hammer hitting those spikes? Can you imagine the pain?

Every time the hammer came down the nail drove further into His flesh. Then He was lifted up between two criminals. He looked down upon the Roman soldiers as they cast lots to see who would win His clothing. At the foot of the cross stood a handful of people, including Jesus’ mother and John. Peter, of course, had run away and hid. The battle Jesus fought was one that no mere human could fight.

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

The battle was a spiritual one for the salvation of mankind. When Jesus became sin in our place, God the Father could not look upon Him.

“And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why has thou forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34)

Oh Jesus! Oh my Lord! It was me. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. It was my sin that nailed You to that cross! It wasn’t the Jewish leaders or the Roman soldiers. It was me. As Jesus hung there He had pity on those onlookers, even the Roman soldiers, and He asked God the Father to forgive them.

“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”  (Luke 23:34)

Jesus forgave those involved in His execution. He even forgave me. Thank you, Jesus, thank you. It’s true that Jesus took the sin of the whole world upon Himself that day, but He did it willingly.

“And you being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” (Colossians 2:13-15)

My sins were what sent Him to the cross. Not my sins alone, but yours too. Jesus went to the cross willingly and all of humanity is guilty of His death, but His love for us was the reason for His sacrifice.

“Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.”  (John 10:17-18)

Jesus willingly laid down His own life for His creation through His own power. It was mankind’s sin that nailed Him to that cross, and it was His love for us that kept Him there. No one person or group of people crucified the Creator of the universe. The sin of the world had to be dealt with so all of humanity could be reconciled to the one true God. The gift of salvation is free, but it has to be accepted individually.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17)

Jesus was innocent but I’m guilty. Jesus paid my debt and I’m redeemed. I’ve accepted His free  gift of salvation. Have you? If yes, then live for Jesus who died for you. If not, then what’s stopping you? Time is running out and tomorrow may be too late.

God bless you all,

Ron & Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

www.straitandnarrowministry.com

ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

Previous commentaries archived at https://www.raptureready.com/featured/graham/graham.html

All original Scripture is “theopneustos” (God breathed).

This commentary was started by Ron Graham before his death on March 14, 2013, and finished by his wife, Nathele Graham.